Taoiseach declines to set new date for meeting aid target
29/06/2005 - 11:27:01The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has declined to set a new target for meeting his commitment to provide 0.7% of Ireland's GNP in overseas aid.
When Ireland was lobbying for a place on the UN Security Council, Mr Ahern promised to meet the target by 2007, but he abandoned that pledge last year.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny challenged the Taoiseach about the issue in the Dáil today, but Mr Ahern refused to set a new date for honouring the commitment.
He also defended his decision to break his earlier promise, claiming it was necessary due to the economic slowdown.
